Yamaha MX61 61 Key Music Synthesizer

Item #:

1354987717963743473

CGA

4.010
Reviews

Write a Review

The MX series presents a smart combination of features that will appeal to a wide range of music performers and producers. Its lightweight design, vast bank of internal sounds, effects and control fea... Click To Read More About This Product

trueMMGS7/H92441000000000_MEDIA_SETfalse

We're sorry—we no longer carry this item.

Find a similar product below or contact us for a recommendation of a great alternative.

The MX series presents a smart combination of features that will appeal to a wide range of music performers and producers. Its lightweight design, vast bank of internal sounds, effects and control features make it the perfect control center for stage or studio.

Over 1000 Sounds from the MOTIF SeriesThe Yamaha MX61 61-Key Synthesizer contains more than 1000 Voices derived from the world-famous Yamaha MOTIF XS series. From realistic acoustic sounds like piano, electric piano, strings and drums to complex 8-element synth sounds, the MX61 has all of your favorite MOTIF XS Voices right at your fingertips. The MX61 even has a streamlined interface for instant hands-on selection of all those great Voices. The newly designed category selection makes it easier than ever to find the Voice you need. You can even edit and store your own sounds right onboard.

VCM EffectsThe MX61 synthesizer comes equipped with VCM effects, which simulate vintage effectors at the circuit level. The sounds of the '70s are brought back to life through simulations of hard-to-find vintage equalizer, flanger, phaser and wah effects introduced by the keyboard legends of the era.

Easy Split /Layer Performance Mode for Instant InspirationPerformance Mode on the MOTIFs has always been the place to find instant inspiration and the MX is no different. You can easily combine two Voices to play on the keyboard using the dedicated Split and Layer buttons each with their own intelligent arpeggiator and a dedicated Part for a drum track to create evocative Performances that feel like a whole band is playing. The 128 Performances on the MX61 are all user editable, but come programmed with the latest club friendly grooves.

16-Part Multi Timbral and 128-note PolyphonyEach Performance contains not only the three sounds described above, but all the settings for a complete 16-Part Multi setting for play. You can switch between any of the 16 Parts without the sound cutting off. With 128 notes of polyphony there are plenty of notes to play even the densest sequences from your DAW. These features make the MX61 the perfect tone generator solution for live performance and live playback of DAW MIDI tracks.

Bi-directional USB Audio/MID InterfacingBut the MX61 doesn't just control software DAWs and VSTs. Just connect a USB cable to your computer and you can monitor all the sounds from your computer via the headphone output of the MX61 or listen to your DAW tracks by connecting the MX to external studio monitors or PA gear. The audio converters on the MX61 are made for professional music applications so everything on your computer, even games, will sound better when using the MX61 as the output. The MX61 interface is bi-directional so you can record the internal sounds of the MX61 directly to your computer, without ever going to the analog domain, for the highest possible quality.

Extensive Hands-On Controls for VSTs and DAWsThe MX61 also features solid knobs and durable buttons for controlling internal sounds, DAW parameters and VST instruments. The deceptively simple interface is combined with a remote template editor on your computer so any VST you own or any new VSTs you buy can be easily set up to be controlled by the MX. There are advanced integration templates for use with a variety of DAWs. When used with Cubase, there is even an AI knob so any parameter can be controlled by the large rotary encoder just by mousing over it. It has never been quicker to take full control of Cubase.

A Complete Suite of Music Production Software IncludedThe MX Series is the only hardware synth in its price range to come with a complete suite of music production software tools. The included Steinberg Cubase AI features 48 audio tracks and 64 MIDI tracks, notation, built-in VST effects, so with just the MX and AI you can do complete productions. But we didn't stop there; it comes bundled with Steinberg Prologue and the Yamaha YC-3B organ emulator so you have some compelling VSTs to get started. Plus there are Remote Template editors for setting up controls of VSTs. Finally, Yamaha has worked with some third party developers to ensure that there will be fully functional cross platform editors available at release.

Complete Analog and Digital ConnectivityIn addition to the USB audio/MIDI port, the MX61 has a USB to Device port so you can connect USB devices for storing MX data to external memory and even playing back wave files directly from a USB stick. If you want to add a tablet or an MP3 player to your system just connect to the AUX input using a mini stereo cable and you are ready to go.

A Lightweight Design with a Quality Yamaha KeyboardWhile almost all other keyboard controllers use inexpensive OEM keyboards, the MX61 features an expertly crafted keyboard that only Yamaha -- the world's largest keyboard manufacturer -- could produce. Weighing only 3.8kg (MX49) or 4.8kg (MX61), either synthesizer can be carried easily with one hand. MX synthesizers have a compact design so they are easy to carry to the gig and also fit easily into today's compact home music production studios.

Pros: sounds are awesome love the pianos and electric pianos. The effects and eq are very well implemented. Decent as a master controller. Cons: lightweight equals all plastic construction. Level of output...Read complete review

Pros: sounds are awesome love the pianos and electric pianos. The effects and eq are very well implemented. Decent as a master controller. Cons: lightweight equals all plastic construction. Level of output seems a little weak. My uses: in the studio I use it as a master controller, for vsti's and daw control. I also use the internal soundset to record as well. Live it is my main and sometimes only board. You can connect another controller to the mx and play separate midi channels on each. It also acts as a sound card for your pc if you use it live. Overall I think it is a great entry level to semi pro keyboard. It is a versatile piece of gear that would fit well in many playing situations. I choose this one because I needed mainly a controller but having the motif soundset was a huge bonus over the controllers I was looking at. If you are a road warrior I would be skeptical only because the construction(all plastic) concerns me. It has some great features that I like. The ability to play wave files; the ability to use the arpegiator when using as a controller; the ability to be a sound card. If you need a simple but surprisingly feature rich keyboard I would definitely give this one a once over and judge for yourself.

VS

Most Liked Negative Review

A great sound source

Buy this keyboard for the sounds - don't buy it for the DAW (digital audio workstation). For this price, getting all of these sounds in a keyboard package is a nice deal....Read complete review

Buy this keyboard for the sounds - don't buy it for the DAW (digital audio workstation). For this price, getting all of these sounds in a keyboard package is a nice deal. The action is not the greatest, but if you look upon it as a synth, you'll be fine. The biggest disappointment of this deal is the DAW. The Cubase software install is horrible. I had to do the first install from the CD (which was included), get a logon from Cubase, download 2 updates and then install both of them! All of this took 3-4 days because you have create an account, contact their technical support and wait... AND the instructions and software license for the multiple installs ARE NOT included - you have to get that from tech support after you create an account! After finishing all of the installs and updates, I had a glimpse of hope that I could move forward and start recording some tracks. However! When I tried connecting the USB to the computer, the synth did not read the USB interface as suggested in the users manual and I could not resolve the interface to record. Unbelieveable! I decided to keep the keyboard, but bite the bullet and buy Protools.

Pros: sounds are awesome love the pianos and electric pianos. The effects and eq are very well implemented. Decent as a master controller. Cons: lightweight equals all plastic construction. Level of output seems a little weak. My uses: in the studio I use it as a master controller, for vsti's and daw control. I also use the internal soundset to record as well. Live it is my main and sometimes only board. You can connect another controller to the mx and play separate midi channels on each. It also acts as a sound card for your pc if you use it live. Overall I think it is a great entry level to semi pro keyboard. It is a versatile piece of gear that would fit well in many playing situations. I choose this one because I needed mainly a controller but having the motif soundset was a huge bonus over the controllers I was looking at. If you are a road warrior I would be skeptical only because the construction(all plastic) concerns me. It has some great features that I like. The ability to play wave files; the ability to use the arpegiator when using as a controller; the ability to be a sound card. If you need a simple but surprisingly feature rich keyboard I would definitely give this one a once over and judge for yourself.

Buy this keyboard for the sounds - don't buy it for the DAW (digital audio workstation). For this price, getting all of these sounds in a keyboard package is a nice deal. The action is not the greatest, but if you look upon it as a synth, you'll be fine. The biggest disappointment of this deal is the DAW. The Cubase software install is horrible. I had to do the first install from the CD (which was included), get a logon from Cubase, download 2 updates and then install both of them! All of this took 3-4 days because you have create an account, contact their technical support and wait... AND the instructions and software license for the multiple installs ARE NOT included - you have to get that from tech support after you create an account! After finishing all of the installs and updates, I had a glimpse of hope that I could move forward and start recording some tracks. However! When I tried connecting the USB to the computer, the synth did not read the USB interface as suggested in the users manual and I could not resolve the interface to record. Unbelieveable! I decided to keep the keyboard, but bite the bullet and buy Protools.

First off this keyboard really holds it's weight for the sounds they put in it. The piano's alone will blow your mind the strings and organ sounds are killer with real modulation effects. Pretty easy to work with and if you have any questions Yamaha support has been johnny on the spot with me.The Cubase was a bit of a hassle to download and get up and running but I cant wait to see what this workstation will really accomplish once I get rolling "hope I don't need a PHD to figure it out". Super lightweight almost feels like a toy but don't let looks fool you it sounds great. The only reason I don't give it a 5 star rating is the drum patterns have no fills for transitions in music playing live and the Ethnic sounds are pretty weak such as banjo, fiddle etc.. For a working man who cant afford a super machine Yamaha has done their best in creating an awesome musical instrument that is amazing for the price. This is a great first step into the world of music production/synthesizers. I highly recommend. If you just want a great full size piano with weighted keys get the Yamaha DGX-650 another great bargain by Yamaha.

This keyboard sounds great, but be prepared to fight with Yamaha about the Cubase AI6 install. I received the keyboard last week and STILL cannot get the right help to install Cubase! Apparently, the code for the Cubase software wasn't included in my shipment so whoever left it out (or re-packaged it) doesn't really care that you believed the advertising that says, "it comes with Cubase AI6!!!" It may be a ruse to "buy" the software upgrade. Grrrr!!!! Good luck - if I cannot get this to install I'm returning it. What a joke!

The MX61 (49) is an amazing instrument for the money. I'm using it as a second keyboard (My lower keys are Nord Stage 2 -76) The Yamaha Motif amazing sounds allows me to play all the brass, reed, accordion - all the realistic instruments which a rock band of 5, cannot afford :-) Yes - the Nord is the main and it provide all my Piano/EP needs but it gets so easy when you can create realistic performances for all the instruments which provide supplements to the performance. True - you need a computer to create the more sophisticated layers and splits but the software (VycroMX) is free and could be learned in 30 min. I was able to create performances with 5-6 layers splitting the keys 3-5 times. (Adding some claps effects or bass glides to help out in different song which need it). My only wish is that the key which changes channel 1 and channel 2 will be in a more isolated spot - similar to the layer button. As it is, it's the up/down button which is surrounded by many other buttons. When Playing alive, I would like to create 2 performances - One which resides by defualt in MIDI channel 1 and the second which will reside in MIDI Channel 2. The layer button will layer the 2 (the ways its working not) and the "switch" button desire will flip between them. I hope this make sense to you and I'm grading this MX61 (49) as 9.9 out of 10.

I tried a whole bunch of synthesizers out in the store and ended up sitting at this one for around an hour.

I purchased it used off of their site - 500 (before tax and shipping) for one in excellent condition. Didn't come with any cables or manual/discs.

I love this thing though, I'm usually use to a 25 key midi and this is a whole new level. I'm a novice piano player, I purchased this mainly to use as a midi to make beats but also to be able to learn piano by myself without a computer. I haven't even tried using it as a midi yet because i love the sounds of the piano and the few effect knobs that come with it. There's a huge selection of different instruments, including drums which i love. But my favorite is the classical grand piano, listening with a pair of Sony MDR7506, it makes me want to keep learning so i can play a beautiful song that will utilize the sounds to their peak.

The keys are not weighted but still they aren't like cheap midi keys, they have some determined springs which is nice. I was originally looking at real feeling weighted keys to get as close to a real piano as possible but i found these pretty enjoyable and better to use as both a midi and a piano to practice on.

My only gripe, which everyone on forums seem to have an issue with is that its volume output is a little lower than you'd expect. Using a pair of headphones is no problem (volume knob halfway and you're good), but when you use monitors, you have to have it pretty close to the max and the monitors turned up a little.It still works no problem for me but if you were to use this live, you may have to turn your speakers up pretty loud.

The MX61 is presently my go-to keyboard for most situations. Not the best for any particular use, but close enough for most.

The major pros:- up/down buttons for quick switching between two sounds- twist-knob ability to instantly change tonal parameters like reverb etc- modulation wheel alters organ sounds satisfactorily- so light it can be lifted one-handed- lots of sounds- uses same power supply as other Yamaha products, like the MG-06X mixer

The cons:- up/down switching doesn't work as well as you'd think. Not unusual to think you've hit it & still hear the previous sound- the sounds are organized into groups, but the logic ends there. A jazzy organ, for example, is next to an overdriven one. If a sound isn't quite right, the nearby choices aren't the next-closest thing- the printing is small = tough in low-light use, or any circumstance where you might have to switch quickly between anything other than the two sounds assigned to the up and down buttons.

The unknown: I haven't used any of the work-station aspects or sequencing.

General: of course, the sounds aren't as rich as similarly-priced boards dedicated to any particular aspect. So the piano sounds are good, but not as rich as the Yamaha P115 (and certainly not weighted). The organ sounds are acceptably decent, but not as rich (nor anywhere near as modifiable) as a drawbar Hammond emulator.

Bottom line: while I prefer other boards for almost everything the MX61 does, I use the MX61 most -- because it does all those sounds just well enough, and acts as two (or more) boards in one.

It would be nice is Yamaha dumbed down all the user manuals a bit. Sounds great though. This one also really needs to allow editing of wav files without using a third party software. I havent used the the performance editor yet as I am hesitant to start changing factory settings. Again this is plug and play ready which makes it easy. The software that came with it is top notch! Pretty cool device. Would recommend.